IPS serves up hot lunch despite canceling classes

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Making sure kids get a nutritious meal is why IPS opened its doors for the first time Wednesday for lunch despite canceling classes.

“If the school didn’t open today to feed the children they may not get lunch,” said Cindy Miller, a teacher at Thomas Gregg Elementary School who volunteered to serve lunch. “We are in one of the highest poverty areas in Indy and our kids on a daily basis they may not have food at home.”

Four other schools also served lunch to students beginning at 11:30 a.m. Officials say they’ll also serve lunch tomorrow if classes are canceled again.

“We’re ready to feed anybody that comes through the door,” said Kristin Cutler, the Public Information Officer for IPS.

The program began last winter as a way to make sure students are still able to eat. All students in IPS schools receive free breakfast, lunch and a snack.

“Part of me hopes that we don’t have anybody show up today and that means they have food at home, and that they don’t need us and that would be wonderful but then there’s part of me that knows we will have kids that walk through the cold to come and get lunch today,” said Miller.

The Salvation Army opened three warming center around the city and at midday the Wheeler Mission was packed with homeless men. Tuesday night, they were over-capacity. 209 men slept in the shelter, 130 of them had to sleep on the floor because all the beds were taken.